Rotary engine.



ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 15. 1907.

PATENTED JAN. 28 1908;

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

ATTORNEYS rue NORRIS PETERS ca, wnsuuvcmu, 0. c

PATENTED JAN. 28, 1908. B. SRNEC. v

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15. 1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Z a/m THE Normls PE1ERS 60-, wasunvc'rou, ov c.

PATENTED JAN. 28, 1908.

E. SRNEG. ROTARY ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 15. 1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

v n E inning FIE-i=5 i.

N. 7 72f PATENTED JAN.28 190a. 8 E. SRNEG.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 15. 1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

I Ez'yf."

A 77'OEWM confined steam being PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST SRNEO, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Application filed May 15 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST SRNEo, of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference the accompanying drawings, which part of this specification.

This invention is an improvement in rotary engines of the direct acting type in which rotary abutments are eccentrically mounted to rotate within the working chambers of the engine.

In the present invention I employ two or more high pressure working chambers and have rotating abutments in each chamber, the abutments being set at different angles in the several chambers so that there can be no possibility of dead-centering the engine, Each working chamber communicates with a common steam-inlet chamber and. a common outlet chamber so that live steam is admitted to both working chambers.

I further provide novel inlet and outlet valves which are so constructed and arranged .relatively to the steam chambers that when steam is cut off from the engine by such valves, the steam chambers will be put into communication so that the engine can run idly and by momentum, without shock, the

the steam chambers. And furthermore the valves are so arranged that by a partial rotation thereof the engine can be reversed, the exhaust chambers then becoming the inlet chambers, and the inlet chambers becoming the exhaust chambers. I have also provided ample means for lubricating all the moving parts, so that friction in the engine will be reduced to the minimum, and I have also provided novel valve mechanism, whereby the speed of the engine may be easily controlled under varying loads.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts set forth in the appended claims, and will be fully understood from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an end elevation of the engine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, partly broken away, showing interior parts. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the engine. Fig. 4 is a detail showing one of the shaft bearings. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional Specification of Letters Patent.

being had to form the engine.

short circuited between Patented Jan. 28, 1908.

1907- $erial No. 373;795.

[ view through the main valve and connections. Fig. 6 is a detail view of such valves.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the sliding abutments. Fig. Sis a sectional view of such abutments showing the lubricating channels. Fig. 9 is a sectional view through the rotary enlargements of the main shaft of The casing 1 of the engine is preferably cast with two internal working chambers 1 which are approximately oval in form. Exterior to these working chambers 1 and within the walls of the casing are formed steam chambers 1 and 1 respectively on opposite sides of said working chambers-and the adjacent chambers 1 at one side of the casing communicate through openings 1 in the partition therebetween; while the adj acent chambers P,

at the opposite side of the casing, communicate through openings 1 in the partition therebetween.

Each chamber 1 communicates at bottom through a port 1 with the adjacent working chamber 1 and each chamber 1 communicates at bottom with adjacent working cham- I ber 1 through a port 1 Direct communication between the chambers 1 and 1 through the working chambers is prevented by the sliding abutments 2 and enlargements 2 on the main shaft of the engine, in which said abutments are held and guided.

The main shaft of the engine extends through both working chambers and is journaled in suitable bearings 1 and 1 at the ends of the casing. A bearing 1 (see Fig. 4.) may be placed outside of the main fly wheel of the engine, if the shaft is elongated. It is not necessary, however, to have this third bearing 1 in all cases. The main shaft is located eccentrically of the working chambers and is provided therein with enlargements 2, which enlargements have a close fit against the packings 1 in the bottoms of the working chambers; thus the enlargementsform a division between ports 1' and 1 Direct flow of steam between ports 1 and 1. around enlargements 2 of the shaft is prevented by means of the sliding abutments or pistons 2".

through diametrically opposite openings 2 in the enlargement 2 in each working chamher, the openings in the respective enlargements being formed at different angles, as shown, so that the abutments 2 in the respective working chambers extend at right These abutments extend angles to each other.

gth exactly eq rking chamber of a len the W0 drawn dia-me t, consequently i shaft :theends of the ing chamber will co opposite sides of such end of each abut working piston a entering the working as to rotate the shaf abutments 2 will be alw against at on while exhaus the other side of such a time will there be direct tween the inl ably the ab 2", and the 8, thr

cated at 2 and with which maintain close frictionless joints betw and the walls of the W0 Lubricating oil can abutments through pa largements 2 which by suitable grooves 2 nel 2 in the enlarge abutments, to whic from a duct 1 in t g chambers, ed through a tubu referred to, with a cated in the drawi plied to the beari the passages 2 Above the w mediate the up 1 are located which are constructed Valve 3 is the inlet val outlet valve. provided with and 3 arrange that when the in Fig. 3, port 3 steam inlet cha1 communicate with the ch outlet valve 3 is constru valve 3 but is when valve 3 Fig. 3,. valve 3 of its ports will chambers 1", municate with t Figs. 2 and 5), conseque if steam is admitted to will flow thr workin The abutments 2 are ual to the diameter of on any line which is hrough the axis of the 11 any position of the abutment in each workntact with diametrically chamber, and thus one ment will always form a st which the live steam chamber 1 will act so abutments and the main the working chambers. The are so arranged that live steam ays acting effectively theree side or the other of the shaft, ways escaping from butment, but at no communication beet and the outlet ports. Preferutments are packed as shown at with internal oil Figs. 7 and nducted to t steam is al y are provided passages, as shown at 2 ough which lubricant is c e sldes, and the ends of the ab packing,.as indifrictional rollers 2 but comparatively een the abutments rking chambers.

be supplied to these ssages 2 in the enpassages communicate with an annular chanment 2 intermediate the h channel oil is supplied he partition between the and said duct is connecte lar shaft 3 hereinafter n oil supply 3 as indi- Oil can also be supngs of the shafts as indicated in Figs. orking chambers and interper ends of chambers 1? and n valves 3 and 3 substantially alike. ve and valve 3 the The valve 3 (see Fig. 3) is two communicating ports 3 (1 about 120 degrees apart so alve is in the position shown will communicate with the and port 3" will ambers 1P. cted similarly to set oppositely thereto so that is in the position shown in 6 will be turned so that one communicate with one of the d the otherport will comust chamber 3 (see ntly in this posit inlet chamber ough valve 3 and steam chamthrough 2 and 9.

The

bers l and port 1 into the work bers 1", drivin the shaft 2 to the right, a the working ch 11 and thence through outle exhaust chamber 3.

steam when the valves described, is indicated b The valves 3 their inner ends with be respectively, which mesh wi of similar bevel pinions 3 tubular shaft 3 which is arra ally of the a intermediate valve is turne will cause th opposite dire shown, the sha forms a duct for car supply 3 to the due The valves ma a shaft 3 which ment 3 largement the shaft are preferably tape closely to their sea thereto by means 0 endsof rods 3" One of the valve, is provi which it can be turn and it may be p 3 and index 3? theoperator ca tion of the valve. As the valves are t tion, the ports 3 establish communication ends of steam chambers 1 steam which is trapped in the g chambers can be circula therein by the abutments without compression or shock.

If it is desired to rev valves are turned in the the port 3 in inlet va with the ste the abutments and turning aping from steam chambers t valve 3 to the The course of the are in the position y dotted lines in the 3 are provided on gears 3 and 3 th opposite sets strung on the nged diametricxes of the valves 3 and 3 and the same, so that when one (1 in one direction the gearing e other valve to move in the ction to a similar extent.

ft 3 is tubular and its b rying lubricant from the t V, see Fig. 5.

y be axially connected by may have a central enlargeand through which en- The valves red and may be fitted ts and may be adjusted f nuts and washers on the as shown in Fig. 5.

, preferably the inlet h a hand-wheel 3 (see Figs. 1 and 2) rovided with an index finger asshown in Fig. 1, so that sily determine the posiambers into drawings.

urned to closed in the valves will etween the upper so that the casing and workin ted around erse the engine the other direction until lve 3 communicates and the port 3 h the chambers 1e exhaust valve 3 is ablishes communication ibers 1 and exhaust 3*. e steam through mbers is changed nents and rotary ngement of valves perfectly under control at all the steam is cut off it can run and it can be readily urning the main valve revolution.

n the drawings a means supply of steam, comm valve 4 rotatably con engagement with a hand-wheel 4 nected to a stem 4? which has (see Fig. 3) on which is a sprocket wheel 4 which is con nected by a chain 4 to a smaller sprocket t on a shaft 4 of the governing device (see and provided with ports whereby when the 76 Fig. 1). This shaft 41? has a bevel gear 4 valve is in one position communication is which is cap able of being meshed with either established between said chambers, and gear 4 or 4 on the governor spindle, which whereby when the valve is in other positions spindle is connected to an ordinary centhe ports may be set to communicate with trifugal governor P, by which the gears 4 one chamber while the other is cut oif. or 4 are thrown into or out of mesh with 4. In a rotary steam engine the combinathe gear 4 according to the speed of the tion of a plurality of working chambers,' rotation'of the governor spindle. The govrotary abutments in each working chamber crnor spindle carries a gear 4 which is formed at different angles, steam chambers adapted to be meshed with either bevel gear on opposite sides of the working chambers, so 5 or 5 sliding on a shaft 5, which is prothe sides of the working chambers respecvided with a pulley 5* adapted to be driven tively communicating therewith on opposite from a pulley 2 on the main shaft of the sides of the abutments, a steam inlet chamengine. her, and an outlet chamber, with an inlet Having described my invention what I valve having ports whereby the valve may claim as new and desire to secure by Letters be caused to establish communication be Patent is: tween the inlet chamber and either steam 1. In a rotary engine the OOm H of chamber, or to close the inlet and. establish a casing, a plurality of dj c nt W rking communication between both steam chamchambers therein, steam chamber n 01 bers; and an outlet valve adapted to estabposite sides of said working chambers, the lish communication between that steam steam chambers at each side c0mrn ni0 chamber into which the steam is exhausted ing,por ts connecting e OW e d 0t and the said outlet chambers, and means for said chambers withthe working chambers, a imultaneously operating said valves. main shaft extending through the chambers 5 In a r t ry stea engi e the combinaand located eccentrically thereof, an ention of the working chambers and abutments largement on Said Shaft W t each C amber therein, a steam inlet chamber, a steam outand intermediate the ports thereof, a-sliding let chamber and opposite steam chambers abutment in each Chambe x n ing di communicating with the working chammetrically through said enlargement, and bers; with a pair of rotary valves respecsteam inlet and outlet valves for connecting tively interposed between the inlet and the inlet with either steam chamber and outlet chambers and said steam chamconnecting the outlet with the other cham- 'bers, and provided with ports whereby the her. nlet valve may be caused to establish corn- 2. A rotary engine comprising a plurality munication between the inlet chamber ofadjacent working chambers, a shaft exand either steam chamber, and simultanetending through the chambers and provided ously the outlet valve caused to establish with enlargements in each chamber, said communication between the other steam enlargements having diametrical slots, slidchamber and the exhaust, and gearing for ing abutments fitted in said slots, the abutoperating said valves simultaneously in opments in adjacent chambers alternating in osite directions.

osition, steam chambers on opposite sides 6. In a rotary steam engine, the combinaof each working chamber, the steam chamtion of working chambers, rotary abutments bers at the same side of the engine communitherein, steam inlet and exhaust chambers, cating with each other, and the opposite and steam chambers on opposite sides of the steam chambers communicating with the working chambers; with a pair of rotary intermediate working chambers at opposite valves respectively located between the inlet' sides of the rotary enlargements; with steam chamber and the steam chambers, and beinlet and steam outlet valve mechanism tween the exhaust chamber and the steam whereby steam is admitted to one set of chambers and gears on the inner ends of steam chambers and exhausted through the said valve and intermediate pinions meshing other set of steam chambers. with both gears whereby one valve is turned 3. In a rotary engine the combination of in one direction the other valve is similarly a working chamber, a main shaft extending moved in the opposite direction, substantherethrough and located eccentrically theretially as described. of and provided with an enlargement in said 7. In a rotary steam engine the combinachamber, -a sliding abutment extending diation of a plurality of working chambers, a metrically through said enlargement, and a rotary abutment therein, steam chambers on steam chamber at each side of the working opposite sides of the working chamber, the

65 chamber, said steam chambers communicata threaded ing with the working chamber at its lower end and at opposite sides of said enlargement; with a rotatable valve interposed between the upper ends of said chambers sides of the working chambers respectively enlargement, substantially as and ' ing abutments fitted in said whereby one valve is turned in one direction Working chambers, and separating the said communicating therewith on o posite sides steam chambers, and means for simultaof the abutments, a steam in et chamber, and a steam outlet; with a pair of rotary valves res ectively located between the inlet and tfie steam chambers, and between and the steam chambers, and

tions, said valves being provided with ports, and adapted to be shifted to direct steam into either set of side chambers, and simultaneously exhaust it from the other set of side-chambers, or shifted to establish communication between the steam chambers outside the working chambers, substantially as described.

11. In a rotary en ine the combination of adjacent working cl iambers, rotary abutments therein respectively communicating with the working chambers on opposite sides of the abutments therein, steam .chambers onopposite sides of each working chamber, the adjacent steam chambers at each side of the working chambers termediate pinions meshing with both gears the other, valve is similarly moved in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

In a rotary engine the combination of a casing having a working chamber, a main extending throu h said chamber and located eocentrically t ereof, and having a transverse slot for a sliding abutment, an annular oil channel beside said slot and oil passages leading from said channel to said slot; with a sliding abutment fitted in said slot and provided with interior oil ducts adapted to receive oil from the ducts in the described.

In a rotary engine the combination of a casing, a pair of working chambers therein, a main shaft extending through valves may be set so as to direct steam into either set of side-chambers, and. simultaneously exhaust it from the other set of sidesaid slots, and assages leading from said channels to sai slots with an oil duct in the wall of the casing to supply oil to said channel, and slidslots and proadapted to reenlargements,

set to establish communication between the side steam chambers outside the working chambers, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. ERNEST SRNEO. Witnesses:

HERMAN T. W. HEIMILLER, ANT. J. SVEIDA.

vided with interior oil ducts ceive oil from the ducts in the substantially as described.

10. In a rotary en ine the combination of adjacent working chambers, rotary abutments therein, steam chambers on opposite sides of the working chambers, a pair ofo positely movable rotary valves above tli e chambers; and whereby the valves can be neously turning said valves in opposite direc- 

